Satellite photos show how quickly Russia can build new launch bases for its fastest attack drones

What happened: Satellite images from Vantor and Planet Labs show Russia converted an empty field near the Millerovo air base in southwestern Russia into a Geran-5 drone launch site, with construction starting in August. Key numbers: Groundwork visible by September 12, launch bays and foundations by September 21, storage and Why it matters: Analyst Spencer Faragasso called the "very fast turnaround" concerning and said similar bases could be built quickly if one were destroyed. Brady Africk said the site has more and longer launch rails than some of Russia's earliest drone launch sites.

Satellite images from Vantor and Planet Labs show Russia converted an empty field near the Millerovo air base in southwestern Russia into a Geran-5 drone launch site, with construction starting in August.

Analyst Spencer Faragasso called the "very fast turnaround" concerning and said similar bases could be built quickly if one were destroyed. Brady Africk said the site has more and longer launch rails than some of Russia's earliest drone launch sites.